The U: Virginia-bound with forty-eight reasons to win

Randy Shannon can talk all he wants about how this is just another game and Miami isn't thinking 'payback' heading into this weekend's contest against Virginia.

The freshman on this team were in high school last year, this is a different team... blah, blah, blah.

This is Miami and this is the type of game a once-proud and dominant program lived for. Someone comes into your house, trashes the place, spits in your face and you're not going to do something about it? C'mon now.

Don't be fooled by the lack of hype. These players are revenge-minded and for the youngins who missed last year's 48-0 beatdown in the Orange Bowl finale, they've had a full week for their older teammates to bring them up to speed.

That being the case, 'wanting revenge' and 'getting revenge' are two different beasts entirely. Miami may have the desire to stick it to Virginia, but do they have the game plan and ability to execute?

All the pregame huffing and puffing goes out the window once that ball is snapped. The U isn't going to will itself to a "W" simply because the Cavs showed them up a year ago.

For those who braved the storm November 10th last year, 48-0 was as bad as this program had seen since 47-0 in Tallahassee back in 1997. Difference there, was a #1 Florida State team taking it to an unranked Miami bunch reeling from probation, en route to a 5-6 season.

This time around it was a ho-hum Virginia bunch, sitting at 8-2 and barely in the top 20, handing Miami it's worst home beatdown since 1973.

Hardly the way it was drawn up when planning the OB's adios, complete with post-game confetti and laser-light snoozer for a half-full stadium and dejected, worked over team. 

When the day started, dozens of former players were in attendance and the pre-game atmosphere was electric. The evening had that old school, big game feel. The fans were rowdy, the stadium was rockin' and if there was ever a night you felt the football gods would will the Canes to a 'W', this should've been in.

Instead, another message was sent; Miami had hit rock bottom and the old girl was officially of magic. 48-0 wasn't a farewell party. It was a funeral and the Cavs spit on the casket.

A 21-9 advantage in first downs. 418 yards to Miami's 189. Five forced turnovers and a scoring onslaught, with six touchdowns and two field goals.

Even more frustrating that Miami's inability to get anything going offensively (Kyle Wright went 9-of-21 for 94 yards, O touchdowns, 3 interceptions), the Canes defense was a shell of it's former self.

For sixty minutes, Tim Walton's defense looked lifeless. At times Virginia would call the same play back-to-back an Miami still wouldn't have an answer. A team knows for it's collective speed looked stuck in the muck, chasing down slow, pasty tight end (John Phillips) who led the Hoos in receptions and yards.

Last year's loss to Virginia was a page straight out of bizarro world. Losing the Orange Bowl was surreal in itself, but watching Miami unravel against the type of team it used to feast on - for a night, it was as if nothing was right in the world.

A year later, the Canes and Cavs are somewhere closer to a middle ground.

Virginia didn't start out like the 9-4 squad they were in 2007. 1-3 out the gate, suffering beatdowns at the hands of Southern Cal (52-7), Connecticut (45-10) and Duke (31-3).

Then, as inexplicable as their early losses, a four-game win streak. The Cavs took out Maryland (31-0), East Carolina (35-20), North Carolina (16-13, OT) and Georgia Tech (24-17).

Ice cold at 1-3 and at one point a 'sure win' for Miami, Virginia now sports the same identical record as their south Florida rival; 5-3.

The Canes path, a little more murky their their counterpart. After hanging tough with a solid Florida team, Miami thumped Texas A&M on the road and dropped back-to-back home heartbreakers against North Carolina and Florida State. 2-3 and at a crossroads, the Canes responded.

Three straight wins are the story, with victories over Central Florida, Duke and Wake Forest, though it's hardly as impressive as Virginia's road to five wins.

Credit to the Canes, a hard-fought win over the Demon Deacons helped put this season back on the right track - but how does that carry over to a road game at UVA?

Whether it's revenge-fueled or simply the desire to stay on a roll while getting better each week, Miami faces another statement game this weekend. This final stretch of football will provide some serious challenges. There are no 'gimmies' left on the schedule and Virginia might be one of UM's toughest remaining foes.

Last year 5-3 resulted in 5-7. 0-fer in the final four contests, Miami imploded and missed their first bowl game in a decade. Coach Shannon has oft stated that was then and this is now. New team. New players. New attitude. Tomorrow the Canes have a chance to walk Shannon's talk.

Miami is on the mend. It's blatantly obvious. You see the talent returning and there's a competitive fire in these youngsters that's been missing for a few seasons. Once a few more big time classes are reeled in, the Canes will truly be 'back'.

Until then, buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy ride. Each week, a new mission and slew of challenges to overcome.

While this squad is showing promise, they're unproven; writing their history one game at a time. A comeback against a Wake Forest could be followed up with a faceplant this week or somewhere down the road. This isn't a veteran team. At some point there will be some backsliding as this team is due to play down to their age.

That being the case, the Canes need to play with a purpose this weekend. Seven teams may have beaten Miami last season, but not in the manner that Virginia did and none on such a momentous evening.

Randy doesn't want to talk revenge, but deep down everyone is thinking it. For the sake of the program, Miami needs to respond tomorrow.

Allow last year's humiliation to fuel this year's fire.

Make another statement. One at a time.

Take another step forward in a rebuilding year.

Ojomo: Under the radar three-star making plays

The Miami Herald had some good ink on defensive end Adewale Ojomo in Wednesday's edition. Click here to check it out.

Outside the fact it was a solid article on the redshirt freshman budding defensive star, it should also serve as notice not to judge a book by it's cover.

Dig back in this blog regarding some recruiting-related posts and read some of the comments left by fans. Seems a lot of folks are way too caught up in the hype regarding the rankings sites like Scout and Rivals give high school seniors.

While Ojomo is starting to terrorize offensive backfields this season and preps for his third career start in what looks to be a breakout year, two years ago the Hialeah High defensive end was an under the radar three-star prospect.

Ojomo chose Miami over NC State, but also had offers from Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Not USC. Not Ohio State. Florida and Florida State didn't want him. Texas and Alabama never came calling. Miami was Ojomo's biggest fan and in turn, the hometown kid stuck with the hometown school and now potentially looks like the next great Canes defensive end.

Randy Shannon preaches about keeping local talent home and he's also talked about not getting caught up with rankings.

Instead, Canes coaches are focusing on finding Miami-style kids and athletes who are a good fit for the program, instead of someone highly touted simply because a few websites say so. Shannon and staff are looking for diamond in the rough-types and kids with that intangible not measured by recruiting websites looking to make a buck and stir the pot.

For those caught up in the rankings, remember that Ed Reed wasn't highly touted and chose Miami over Tulane. Santana Moss came to The U on a track scholarship and was thought to be too small. Same for Roscoe Parrish, regarding his size.

Take it back a few decades and remember that a guy like Russell Maryland wasn't a big time recruit and contrast to some four and five-stars Miami reeled in earlier this decade. Kids who wanted to get on board after Miami was a national championship caliber program, instead of the type of kids who signed on to be part of the rebuilding and resurgence.

Kids like Ojomo are part of the rising, the same way guys like Moss and Reed were ten years ago.

It's three-star players with five-star heart who are going to make Miami into "Miami" again.

Miami 16, Wake Forest 10

Eventually something had to go the way of the Miami Hurricanes.

After losing heartbreakers to North Carolina and Florida State - by a combined total of six points and with the game in reach in the final moments - it was finally the Canes' turn to experience the thrill of victory after making a few more plays than the other guys.

This wasn't Wake Forest circa 2006. The Deacs were thumped 26-0 by Maryland last week and fell to Navy early in the season, but scored also "W"s in low-scoring affairs against Florida State and Clemson. Close down the stretch, Wake stepped up and pulled away.

Saturday's contest looked like it was scripted in similar fashion.

Down 16-10 with 4:24 on the clock, the Deacs went three-and-out with no theatrics from Riley Skinner. The junior quarterback has a few fourth quarter comebacks on his resume and it almost made sense to mentally prepare for a 17-16 final.

Miami has been the anti-Skinner, giving games away in the waning moments and almost creating new ways to be unclutch. Defensive collapses. The absence of a game winning-type catch. The sense of being in control, instead of reactive and panicking.

It took eight games, but these young Canes are finally learning the meaning of the word 'clutch'.

After their final possession went south, the Demon Deacons punted on a 4th-and-8 from Miami's 44-yard line. With just over three minutes in the game and time outs remaining, Wake had seen this movie before and knew the ending.

Keep it close, take the Canes to the wire and let them self-destruct, effectively willing a win to the other guy.

A coaching staff criticized for conservative play finally took their gloves off and a few peerless freshman stepped up and won a ball game.

A glorified game of keep away ensued, with the Canes nursing a six-point lead the the Deacs one big play away from the comeback.

Miami of last year loses this game, a la NC State. Instead, this squad finally got a signature win.

Robert Marve threw his hat back in the quarterback competition, putting together an 11-of-20 performance for 153 yards with his arm and rushing for 56 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. The even more important stat; no turnovers.

Only given eight attempts last week and sidelined during a stellar outing by Jacory Harris, many were clamoring for the true frosh to assume starting duties - the wrong call proven by Marve's response.

Early in the second, a 43-yard scamper by Marve set up a one-yard touchdown run two plays later. The beginning of the fourth, a 20-yard drive and third down conversion eventually resulting in a 43-yard Matt Bosher field goal and 16-10 lead.

Miami picked up five of their seven third downs with Marve behind center. On the surface, just another notation in a box score, but for a Hurricanes bunch that's been anemic regarding keeping drives alive, it's huge. At the game's most crucial moment, the final two on the final drive secured the win.

On a 3rd-and-10 deep in Miami's territory, Marve rolled left and floated the perfect pass to Thearon Collier. The freshman wideout had Miami at midfield and breathing new life.

The Canes almost non-existent running game remained grounded (102 yards on 33 attempts. 59 on 32 if you take out Marve's long run), with Graig Cooper losing 3-yards on first down. On 2nd-and-13, Marve found Collier again, threading a 12-yard strike between Wake defenders.

It was the confident-type pass Harris was applauded for against Duke, but many said Marve didn't have in the arsenal. The game-winner Marve sent over Kayne Farquharson on the final drive against North Carolina, he hit it Saturday, albeit in less dramatic fashion.

First-and-10 with two minutes and no timeouts, Wake was done while Miami notched back-to-back ACC wins for the first time since 2006.

The pundits will say it's only a Wake Forest team on the decline, but it's a big step forward for a young team.nOne step closer to being 'back'.

5-3 doesn't have the same ring of 6-2 or 7-1 (both of which were within reach), but it feels better than October 20th, 2006.

After an upset of Florida State, Miami sporting an identical record last season, though there was little reason for optimism. An utter beatdown at Oklahoma. A no-show at North Carolina. A second half collapse against Georgia Tech. Instability at quarterback. The same barrage of mistakes made week in and week out. Zero excitement. Watered down talent. Four losses from rock bottom.

Miami went 0-4 down the stretch - losing an OT snoozefest to NC State and suffering a 48-0 drubbing at the hands of Virginia; the Orange Bowl finale, no less. Two final road contests followed, smacked up at Virginia Tech and outlasted by Boston College.

This time around, the Canes head to Virginia, work through a bye and then sport back-to-back Thursday night ESPN games against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. The season finale, a post-Thanksgiving road trip to NC State.

Based on the schizophrenic nature of the ACC this year, even Nostradamus is gun shy offering up a down-the-stretch prediction.

The same way he's shaken off any notion of quarterback 'controversy', Randy Shannon isn't playing the revenge card for the final four foes. Different year, different team - as proven the past few weekends. No more wilting down the stretch, the Canes are finishing.

But where does it go from here? Has Miami truly turned a corner, or will the rise in competition knock this green team down a few rungs? Central Florida, Duke and a lesser Wake Forest bunch don't hold a candle to Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and NC State. The Canes first true test is next weekend in Charlottesville.

Shannon may avoid any revenge angle, but someone in that locker room better do his best Ed Reed and remind everyone about last year, just as the former Miami safety did at Florida State in 2001, ("Forty-seven to nuthin!", Reed bellowed in the locker room, recalling the Noles beatdown of the Canes in 1997).

Let these freshman know what it felt like to go out with a thud and embarrass yourselves in front of all those football alum, as well as an entire city.

There's added motivation to stick it to Virginia and it's on the players to muster it up - not on their head coach to fabricate it. Someone get out there and lead by example this weekend. Make another statement. Notch another win.

6-3 sounds a hell of a lot better than 5-4.

Miami is building for the future and the best way to do that is to create some more signature moments and save this year. Win some more ball games. Prove that 5-7 was an aberration and that the road to redemption is closer than the critics think. Show next year's recruits the instant impact they can have on a hungry program ready to get back to winning ways.

A lot remains on the line, ACC title game aside. All the zigging instead of zagging down the stretch last year, get it right this time. Create more moments. Invigorate Miami football.

While many want an instant turnaround, the logical folk realize how bad things had gotten and understand what it takes to right the wrongs. They key to this year was growth. Nurture the new players and get production out of your playmakers. Grow two new quarterbacks from the ground up. Take it a week at a time. Improve on last year. Get to a bowl game. Recruit like hell and get back after it again next fall.

Miami is growing, albeit not fast enough for some. Don't let impatience cloud your vision. Rewatch the last eight quarters of football and be honest with yourselves. This team is starting to turn a corner, though a daunting task awaits with November upon us.

Revel in this win and buckle up as the real season starts on Saturday.

Miami Ink: Canes get some good press via the AP

Miami knocked off Duke, 49-31 last weekend in Durham and AP writer Tim Reynolds was along for the ride.

Earlier this week Reynolds shared his story and broke down the 'state of Miami' and shared some behind the scenes tales regarding the rebuilding process Randy Shannon and staff have taken on.

For those who haven't read it, we've reprinted it below.

For those who don't subscribe to, "In Randy We Trust", hopefully this article sheds some light on where the Canes are headed as soon as the talent returns.

For those who refuse to acknowledge talent as the key missing ingredient, look no further than last Sunday in the NFL. Hours after the Canes upended the Blue Devils, NFL U was on everybodys highlight reel.

Clinton Portis and Santana Moss helped Washington upend Cleveland. Willis McGahee ran all over the Dolphins, while Ray Lewis led the Ravens in tackles. Andre Johnson had 141 receiving yards in Houston's win over Detroit and on Monday evening, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Meriweather shone on the main stage as New England dismantled Denver, with BM picking off his third pass of the year.

A stark contrast to the fact that no Canes are projected to be drafted next April.

Check out Reynolds' article below and keep the faith. Miami is on the mend.

DURHAM, N.C. - It's Friday night at the Miami Hurricanes' team hotel, about an hour before players will drift off to sleep, and offensive coordinator Patrick Nix stands to deliver some inspiring words.

The conference room is silent. Every offensive player's head is up, all eyes on Nix.

"In case you haven't figured it out, everyone is against you," Nix says, calmly but emphatically. "Our receivers are too young. Our quarterbacks aren't any good. Our offensive line can't finish. That's what everyone says about you."

This is what it's come to at Miami: An us-against-the-world pep talk on the eve of playing Duke.

Since 1983, the Hurricanes have won more national championships (five) than the Blue Devils have posted winning seasons (three), but Miami is no longer the undisputed king of college football. Every day is a test, a challenge to move closer to regaining that elite reputation.

Nix's message sinks in: Miami beats Duke 49-31, getting five touchdowns from backup freshman quarterback Jacory Harris and putting together consecutive wins for the first time all season. The Hurricanes whoop their way into the locker room, then gather on bended knee in prayer, everyone with an arm slung over someone else's shoulder, because that's how the great Miami teams did it.

"We're on a roll now," Miami coach Randy Shannon tells the group. "But we've got to stay focused. After tonight, this game is over with. I don't care how good of a game you had tonight, after tonight, it is over. We can't pat ourselves on the back and say we did a great job. We did. But after tonight, the only thing that matters is getting the University of Miami better."

With that, his team leaps and roars.

These days, every victory is significant.

"Happy homecoming to Duke," wide receiver Kayne Farquharson says over the din of the locker room celebration. "Duke scheduled Miami for their homecoming? When a team schedules a team for homecoming, they want to put on a show for their fans and their families. But we made it our party. We brought some Miami flavor back. The ball is finally rolling for us now. We think we control our own destiny again."

Ah, postgame smack talk. Michael Irvin would be proud.

But maybe Miami really is getting somewhere by going back to its us-against-the-world roots – albeit in a much different way than two decades ago.

The reputation of the Hurricanes' program is indelible: They were college football's bad boys, the brash bunch that wore camouflage attire to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, would stand and pose over prone opponents after big hits, celebrate wildly after touchdowns, bury teams by ridiculous margins. They were generally considered to be the dark knights of the game. (Anybody remember the "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-shirts Notre Dame fans broke out for the 1988 game in South Bend?)

Miami's makeup has changed considerably since. Without anyone asking, two linemen ducked out of a packed elevator at the hotel Friday night, so a family of five had enough space to enter. The Hurricanes' graduation rate is one of the best in major college football. Players volunteer in the South Florida community. But the decades-old stigma about the program remains, and was evident in the reaction over two horrific events in 2006: an on-field brawl against FIU, and the off-campus slaying of Bryan Pata three weeks later, a crime that remains unsolved.

Butch Davis made it an emphasis to change the way people saw Miami on the national stage, then left the blueprint for what became the 2001 national championship team. Shannon follows a similar path. That's why, after dinner but before team meetings on Friday nights, some attend Mass in a hotel ballroom, while other coaches and staff meet for Bible study – the week's theme was patience – a few doors away.

Mass? Bible study? Patience? Miami football?

There was a time those things might not have gone together. Those days are long gone.

"There's a lot of things about this program that people don't realize," Shannon says.

Every aspect of the road trip is so civilized that the smattering of fans in the lobby bar are fighting off boredom. For the Duke trip, coaches' wives are invited, as were the team secretaries, so the traveling party was bigger than usual. Once at the hotel, players scurry to change out of their dark blazers with the “U” on the left lapel, and head downstairs to an enormous conference room set up for a buffet dinner.

The only real sound is the clinking of silverware against the white plates.

Fried chicken, collard greens, grilled chicken, broccoli, it's what the great Miami teams ate, so it's what this Miami team eats. Tradition also says there's ice cream at the team meal, so some players leave with sundaes, others with containers filled with chicken legs, and in one case, a player departs with his hands full of both. After all, it'll be nearly three hours before the snack table is open.

"It's hard not to go get a bowl of that ice cream," left tackle Jason Fox says. "But I try, especially if it's a day game in Miami."

The team meeting starts at 8 p.m., so naturally, everyone is in their seats by 7:50. Everything starts early. Football time, they call it. Over the next two hours, they go over everything: kick coverages, offense, defense, special teams.

A guest speaker is summoned, a 47-year-old minister and YMCA executive from North Carolina who sets two chairs six feet apart and uses them as props while he does a split, and then entertains players with a series of karate kicks. He tells them about the ups and downs of his personal life, and keeps repeating the theme of his message: Moments matter.

It's what Shannon and his staff have been saying for months. When your moment comes, will you be ready?

Harris is on Saturday. Duke leads 17-7 before he engineers a perfect two-minute drill to get Miami within three points at halftime, then helps the Hurricanes put up 35 unanswered points in the second half to pull away for good.

"Moments do matter," Harris says. "Every play, you've just got take it one by one, and when you get that moment to make something happen, take advantage of it, because you may not get a second chance. We understand that now."

In those Friday night meetings, where coaches show video of dozens of Duke plays, they use odd terms like "skinnying your pads," which happens when a ball carrier turns his body to slip through a small space instead of trying to barrel his way through a hole. It'll be a key to the game, they say, and they are proven right. Travis Benjamin slips his body through two defenders perfectly on a punt return in the third quarter, taking the ball to the Duke 28, and eventually catches a touchdown pass on that drive that puts Miami in full control of the game.

"We want these guys to finish every game, come out with emotion and make plays," wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill says. "Tonight, that's what they did. It's real simple, and it took a while, but we did it. And we didn't panic. We knew we had a chance to win the game, and in the second half, we opened it up."

It sounds so simple.

"It is simple," Shannon says.

There have been whispers that either Harris or starter Robert Marve will transfer for weeks, talk that will only pick up after Harris' big game against Duke. But here's how angry Marve acted on Saturday: He was, by far, the loudest celebrator in the locker room afterward.

Some pundits have suggested it's an act when Marve and Harris openly praise one another in interviews, saying it's just for the cameras. There are no cameras inside the Miami locker room on Saturday when Marve enters.

"Good work, 'Canes," he screams, slapping teammates – Harris included – on the head and shoulder pads as he weaved his way to his stall.

He scoffs at the notion that the quarterback "partnership," as Shannon calls it, is a problem right now.

"It felt good that we finally showed people exactly what we could do," says Marve, a redshirt freshman. "I was glad to see the young guys do well, glad to see our defense was strong, glad that we got tested in a battle and no one freaked out, no one panicked, everyone knew it was just time for us to explode. It just took a little time to get us going."

Marve means in the Duke game.

He may as well have been talking about this rebuilding project.

Miami was 5-7 last year, and at 4-3 this season, the turnaround is hardly complete. There won't be a national championship this year. At this point, a bowl game isn't even guaranteed. But with waves of freshmen and sophomores contributing already, with one loaded recruiting class already on campus and another expected to be on the way, Shannon truly believes Miami is getting closer to that elite level.

Another championship moment for Miami football, he says, is coming.

"It's been a while for us," Shannon says. "Now this team can get a little more confidence and feel good about themselves. These young guys are coming around. But we're not done. These guys can feel good right now, but there's a lot more work we have to do get Miami back where it needs to be."

Miami 49, Duke 31

Down 17-7 late in the second quarter, it looked like another, "oh s#@t" moment for the Miami Hurricanes.

After dropping six straight ACC contests, even a rising Duke squad is no longer a 'gimmie' game for the Canes. Miami will have to earn every win down the stretch, starting with what eventually became a 49-31 rout in Durham this past weekend.

Bigger than the win, the post-game story revolved around quarterback play. Robert Marve again got the start, but it was Jacory Harris who would 'finish'. Marve went 4-of-17 for 64 yards with 1 touchdown and an interception with his pick coming early in the second quarter during a 7-7 tie.

On a roll out, with good protection, Marve had the option of throwing away or running out of bounds. Instead, a rookie move where the r-freshman heaved a desperation pass towards two Canes and three Blue Devils.

Duke put together a 10-play, 77 yard drive which put them ahead 14-7 when Harris entered the game with 6:48 remaining in the half. After a quick pass to TE Chris Zellner for no gain, the freshman was sacked for a seven-yard loss on third down. Duke's ensuing six-play drive resulted in a field goal and 17-7 Blue Devils lead with 2:50 remaining.

From there, Harris was in the Matrix - in the zone and virtually unstoppable. His legs accounted for 22 yards on the ground and his arm, 47 through the air. A nine-yard strike to Zellner narrowed the Duke lead to 17-14 at the half.

The Northwestern connection shone as Harris comfortably found his old high school counterpart Aldarius Johnson thrice on that scoring drive and four more times in the second half.

A boneheaded interception to start the second half put Miami in a 24-14 hole and unlike Marve, Harris was given a chance to dig his way out of the mess he helped create. A 37-yard scamper by Graig Cooper set Miami up at the Duke 32. Harris found Travis Benjamin for a 17-yarder and a play later, the quarterback used his own wheels to reel off a 15-yard score to bring Miami within three.

A Harris-led Miami squad went three and out the next two possessions thanks to incomplete passes, an stalled ground game and a six-yard sack on a 3rd and 6. Late in the third, good field position and a 23-yard catch by Kayne Farquharson put Miami just outside the redzone and three plays later, Harris found A. Johnson for a six-yard score, giving the Canes a lead they'd never relinquish.

Harris wrapped up the afternoon 18-for-28 with four touchdowns and two interceptions, which now has many wrongly clamoring for him to assume the starting role.

Not to throw any cold water on this latest win, but one good performance doesn't earn anyone a starting role. Say you start Harris next week and Marve comes in for the second half, outplays him and clearly has a better game. Then what? Do you switch back to Marve a week later when heading to Virginia?

Not to sound like Miami's former lame duck head coach, but it's time to stay the course. Randy Shannon has oft said the Canes have two starting quarterbacks and at this early point in both their careers, he is correct.

You don't bench Marve for a 4-of-7 performance and the game's first scoring drive - nor do you elevate Harris for effectively picking apart Duke late in the second half, thanks to a no huddle offense that kept the Devils' D on their heels.

Marve starts against Wake Forest, Harris gets his reps and the hot hand of the afternoon deserves to press on. That's how you coach in a rebuilding year with two freshman quarterbacks who both need nurturing. You stay the course and don't punish or over-reward based on a performance or two.

Harris looked like the more comfortable quarterback last Saturday. The true freshman throws a nice ball and made some great decisions. He seems to find the tight end easier than Marve and sports more confidence regarding threading a needle and getting the ball to covered wide outs.

Both quarterbacks are prone to making rookie mistakes and while Marve has the stronger arm, Harris seems to have better touch. Instincts-wise, both appear to have 'it' but both have looked 'off' at times.

By the two competing down the stretch, the hope is that one surpasses the other and proves why he should start. That hasn't happened yet, no matter how some folks are trying to spin the second half rally at Duke. The current system should stay in play until proven otherwise. While many can't see past the next game, folks need to realize you're building for 2009, 2010 and 2011 by letting these kids cut their teeth in this fashion.

4-3 going into a showdown with Wake Forest next weekend, Miami finally had a 'breakout' game against a lesser opponent. The offensive outpour against Duke was the type of contest most were expecting against Central Florida the week prior. Some will say it's only the Blue Devils, but the seven touchdowns the Canes laid on them was the most they'd given up all season. Even Georgia Tech with their potent offense only mustered up 27 in a win.

The Youth Movement continues, with baby Canes starting to shine all over. Those frustrated with the play of upperclassmen like Sam Shields are now seeing the junior receiver demoted in favor of freshman. Outside of first-year players A. Johnson and Benjamin combining for 11 catches, 129 yards and two touchdowns, LaRon Byrd and Davon Johnson broke out of their shells with three grabs for 46 yards and two scores. Thearon Collier is seeing some reps as well.

All in all, eight receivers touched the ball last Saturday, not counting Cooper and J. Harris, the recipient of a 17-yard receptions from Benjamin on a reverse.

It took half the season for things to start falling into place, but the "out with the old, in with the new" mentality is in full force. Freshman are starting to play above their age and experience. Miami is starting to jell, though it's too soon to tell how much. That won't be known until better competition is across the ball down the stretch.

Shannon said months back that the ACC beats up on itself and that's proving true. Of the remaining foes, Wake Forest got thumped by Maryland (26-0) who was schooled by Virginia (31-0), who was embarrassed by Duke (31-3).

Virginia upsets a North Carolina team on a roll (16-13, OT) and Virginia Tech falls to Boston College (28-23), who lost to Georgia Tech (20-17), who the Hokies beat (20-17) mid-September.

Miami is 1-2 in the ACC race, but things are wide open again thanks to a few upsets. Over the next two weeks Florida State faces Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, which could really help shake things up in the Coastal division.

While it's way too soon for the Canes to start thinking about winning their division, the past few weeks have proven anything can happen. The race truly is wide open and the team who takes things a game at a time will be representing in Tampa early December. How crazy would that Miami v. Florida State rematch look six weeks from now if things play out as they could?

Until then, it's Wake Forest, Virginia (11/1) and a bye week. Miami then closes out with back-to-back Thursday night ESPN games - Virginia Tech (11/13) and Georgia Tech (11/20) - and a season finale at N.C. State (11/29).

The U: No class... in 2005

Last October we broke down the Miami Hurricanes' 2004 recruiting class, player-by-player, in an effort to show the lack of development production out of last year's senior class.

Unless you're a stat geek with a well-worn stack of media guides, it's easy to forget the names of every then-new recruits four years back.

A player-by-player look at last year's class proved eye opening. 26 signees and after another year to reflect, safe to say 24 truly didn't pan out.

2005's story isn't much better. Revisit the twenty signees below.

Luqman Abdallah - Four-star Rivals prospect. Non-factor. Transferred to Hofstra.
Ross Abramson - Inexperienced long snapper from NJ. Never saw the field.
Spencer Adkins - Top prospect, serviceable linebacker, never panned out.
Chris Barney - Serviceable offensive tackle. Scout team in '07. Didn't pan out.
Antonio Dixon - Talented defensive tackle. Struggled with weight. Hasn't reached potential.
DajLeon Farr - #3 tight end. Never fit in. Transferred to Memphis, sitting out season.
Richard Gordon - Flip-flopped between DT, TE and KR. Never found a niche.
Courtney Harris - #19 DL in state. Serviceable lineman. Hasn't reached potential.
Eric Houston - Undersized LB. #16 in nation. Only real task in four years; special teams.
Bruce Johnson - #12 CB in nation. Up and down career. Not quite uncle Kelly Jennings.
Joe Joseph - #25 prospect in state. Serviceable DT. Hasn't reached potential.
Jerrell Mabry - FB who didn't pan out. Transferred to Texas Southern.
Eric Marino - A 5-foot-9, 170 pound WR JUCO transfer from CA. Never saw field.
Kenny Phillips - Good, not great career. Rode NFL U's legacy into a late first round pick.
Randy Phillips - Early potential, struggled since. #7 safety in nation hasn't lived up to hype.
Matt Pipho - Serviceable offensive lineman. Never solidified a spot on the OL.
Darryl Sharpton - Vilma comparisons were off, but a good senior year. Has heart.
Demetri Stewart - You can barely find this guy in a Google search.
A.J. Trump - Serviceable lineman. This decade's Eric Schnupp. Was ranked #8 OL in land.
Reggie Youngblood -Five-star. Ranked #3 OL. Pretty good career, but not five-star.

Last week a scout from the NFL said he didn't expect one Cane to get drafted, ending a thirty-five year streak. Seniors 2008. Coker's fourth full recruiting class. The program progressively getting worse. Erosion continuing from within.

That's not a knock on these kids. They bust their asses day in and day out. Everyone knows that, even if they're too frustrated to admit it. This is simply a 'tough love', one-sentence retrospect of their careers, straight and to the point.

Football's a brutal sport if you're 12-0. It hurts even worse when you're 0-12.

3-3 is no picnic, either. Not on the heels of 5-7 or 7-6. Not after a four-year, 46-4 run the early part of this decade.

Some put too much emphasis on recruiting. Others don't put enough. The college game has changed. The recent hype of recruitment makes freshman a household name before taking that first snap.

The Canes' biggest playmakers were high school seniors last fall.

A top-ranked class having an immediate impact is refreshing after years of watching Miami's then-current youth movement buried on the depth chart.

Travis Benjamin has seen more action his first five games than Devin Hester, his first two years as a Cane.

Sean Spence. Marcus Forston. Jacory Harris. Aldrius Johnson. Thearon Collier. You're seeing where this thing is headed, but it's got new legs and is still a ways away.

Bring in the right players. Lock up South Florida recruiting-wise. Cherry-pick the rest of the nation's top talent. Create competition, lay the foundation and develop these kids better than the 2005 staff did the seniors.

Any more questions regarding Miami being devoid of talent, scroll back up to the top and start again. It took a few years for this to unravel and it'll take a few more to resurrect things to a more familiar level.

Regarding the immediate future, patience is the only option.

A healthy Javarris James is back in the mix...

The Miami Hurricanes anemic rushing attack should be reinvigorated this weekend if/when junior tailback Javarris James is back in the line up. Out since early in the Florida game with a high ankle sprain, James has effectively been sidelined about 4.75 games this season.

Injuries have been the name of the game for #5 since arriving on campus prior to the 2006 season. James had a solid freshman campaign with 175 attempts for 802 yards and 7 touchdowns, though a hip pointer against Virginia Tech (11/7) slowed him down the stretch.

A sophomore slump ensued as JJ spent most of 2007 fighting nagging ankle and neck injuries. James wrapped up year two with 159 rushes for 582 and 4 touchdowns during Miami's 5-7 run.

James also proved to be a threat out of the backfield as a receiver, hauling in 31 receptions for 300 yards and 1 touchdown his first two years.

Miami's two-headed rushing attack was supposed to take some heat off of the freshman quarterbacks, but with James out, Graig Cooper has been forced to carry the load. "Lightning" to James' "Thunder", Coop has struggled running inside the tackles and Miami has been hurt by the lack of the traditional power back.

Many hoped Shawnbrey McNeal, Derron Thomas or Lee Chambers would step up and fill the void, but over the past five games the trio has combined for 45 carries, 215 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper has racked up 412 yards and four touchdowns on 83 carries thus far, though #2 only broke the 100-yard mark twice in six games. Cooper's best outing this season is a 128 yard day Texas A&M, where a 51-yard scamper proved to be his longest run this fall.

Should James find the field Saturday, it couldn't come at a better time. Duke is susceptible to the run, giving up 224 yard on the ground two weeks ago against Georgia Tech. RB Jonathan Dwyer put up 159 yards on 23 carries. A few weeks prior, Navy rushed for 207 yards in a 41-31 loss.

Duke's most impressive win of the year (er, ever?) was a recent 31-3 beatdown of Virginia, where the Blue Devils capitalized on five second-half turnovers. For a Miami team that threw three interceptions against Central Florida, this will be an area to watch come Saturday.

IN OTHER NEWS: Reggie Youngblood is expected to suit up for the Canes in Durham. Though Randy Shannon mentioned after the North Carolina loss that the senior offensive lineman was most likely lost for the season, he's back two weeks after going down with an undisclosed leg injury.

"He responded, feels pretty good," Shannon said. "He wants to give it a shot, so I said, 'Go for it.'"

File that one under, "Huh?"

OL Chris Barney is expected back, as well.

A first-class bunch up there in O-town...

You go Darin Baldwin (#21)and Joe Burnett (#19). Represent your school, your families and your teammates late in the third quarter, in a dogfight with the Miami Hurricanes.

Moments after the Canes were tagged with a 15-yard penalty for interfering with Burnett fielding a punt, the two classy Knights strolled to the sideline.

Burnett flexed and Baldwin threw up his version of 'U hands', palms outwards and both index fingers raised. Motioning to Burnett, the DB/KR/PR who tainted his impressive eight return, 162-yard, 1 TD special teams effort, the senior joined in on the fun with a two-finger salute of his own.

Cameras panned to the sidelines and caught all the action, though quickly pulled away.

The repercussions? "Undisclosed", though neither will be suspended for this weekend's contest with Tulsa. Athletic director Keith Tribble made it clear that next time they do something like this, they'll pay with the loss of playing time. As if players toss up the dirty birds on a weekly basis.

Call it what it is - Baldwin and Burnett are getting away unscathed, as is Central Florida. Had this been a higher profile program, the media feast on this for a week. Had it been Miami, we might've seen another national publication call for UM to drop football. The Thug U tag would be back in full force.

I guess only bottom feeders like Central Florida get away with this bush league behavior.

Thankfully the football gods prevailed and sent two jerks home with a loss and an embarrassing weekend highlight.

Miami 20, Central Florida 14

Maybe it was the sting of back-to-back losses or the fact that even with the "W" the Canes are simply back at .500 and 3-3. Whatever the case, the Miami Hurricanes win against Central Florida felt more like a loss than jubilation for a team that hung on to win.

Let's be honest. If the Knights had anything resembling a quarterback, the Canes are looking at three straight losses and are doing some serious soul-searching this morning. A 20-14 win is in the books, but there are as many questions moving forward as there would be had Miami lost on Saturday.

The Canes are in trouble and this season is on the verge of slipping away. Anyone that's watched the past few seasons remembers this feeling. Central Florida was this year's FIU or Duke game of 2007. It stunk like the putrid outing against Houston in 2006. Miami looking lifeless. Not making plays. Letting an inferior opponent hang around and make a game of it. When does that trend end?

We know the facts. Talent-wise this team is in the toilet. Last week an NFL scout predicted not one Cane is drafted next spring. Forget the 15-year streak of first rounders, Miami doesn't even have a late Sunday afternoon pick. It's gotten that bad.

Over a dozen starters are injured, a few for the season, which also doesn't bode well for a team in transition that's relying on so many underclassmen to carry a load that seems to get tougher every week.

Randy Shannon expected more answers this season, though he seemed rather in tune regarding overall expectations.

While the fan base seemed to get ahead of itself as to how good this team could be, Shannon was realistic about where Miami was headed. He oft noted the team's youth and the challenges of rebuilding from the ground up, though most of it fell on deaf ears regarding the folks in the stands.

False hope was provided after the first few games and back-to-back losses raised some questions entering what should've been a 'growing experience' type outing against a then 2-3 UCF team. Some tried to build the Knights up, citing a hard-fought 31-24 OT loss to South Florida, but this was a team that UTEP beat down 58-31. Boston College did away with them to the tune of, 34-7. Those two wins? Against the likes of South Carolina State and Southern Methodist.

In my attempt at a verbal one-finger salute, Central Florida is an awful football team. This was the type of game Miami was supposed to break through and answer some question about the character of this team; not backslide and walk away with several more.

Did Miami's defense really 'hold' the opposition to 78 total yards, or could the Knight simply not get out of their own way and capitalize on poor coverage and mistakes. Several times the Miami secondary appeared confused and out of position. A quarterback with any savvy would've kept a few drives alive.

Robert Calabrese and Michael Greco were a combined 11-of-37 for 74 yards, yet another day outing where the Miami secondary couldn't record an interception, despite several errant passes hitting Canes defensive backs in the mitts.

Offensively, Miami was an utter disaster. 2-of-17 on third down. 216 total yards against a defense UTEP laid 51 points and 400+ yards on. 88 passing yards. Three interceptions. 128 rushing yards was a bright spot, but even that was tainted by a ground game that vanished in the second half.

Again sophomore Graig Cooper started strong, was pulled and when back in with fresh legs, met a defense ready to stonewall the basic drags and draws offensive coordinator Patrick Nix was drawing up. Cooper ran 14 times for 80 yards in the first half and had a lifeless second half with 9 carries for 11 yards. Runs of 18, 16 and 15 yards early on and after an unexplainable break, a 1.2 ypc second half average.

Depending on who you ask, Nix has unofficially been on the hot seat as far back and his hiring date. The latest general consensus; he moved officially to it last Saturday.

You can play the no talent and injury card here and in defense of Nix, Miami is thin right now. That's blatantly obviously. Inexperience at quarterback mounts every game a power back like Javarris James remains on the sideline. His impending return could help save a season - and potentially an OC's job. Time will tell.

Regardless of any excusable excuses, the game plan appears as lost and elementary as it has in decades. Running a no huddle offense with under two minutes in the first half, despite all three timeouts available and the result being an interception, instead of tacking on more points.

Ahead 10-7, Nix appeared content to let the clock run out. At the 1:21 mark, Cooper tears off a 15-yarder and instead of calling timeout, Miami goes no huddle and sets up another 1st and 10.

With :58 on the clock, a screen to Cooper that goes nowhere. Again, the clock ticks and three timeouts remain. More no huddle and a lack of urgency. With :34 remaining and from the Miami forty, a rushed Marve sails one over the head of Kayne Farquharson (a common theme) and into the bread basket of Sar'reff Rashad. Drive stalled. The wrong team demoralized.

The drive was bush league and has become the epitome of Miami's offense the past few years. Missing on more big plays than it's made. High, low or to the side - just never right where it should be. Finding success when an opposing defense fails, instead of making its own.

Since a breakout performance from Travis Benjamin a few weeks back, the speedy return man has become Marve's most frequented receiver. The same way Darnell Jenkins was last year's "go to", get-you-out-of-a-jam wideout, Benjamin was this week's most locked on target. Earlier in the year, Farqhuarson proved to be Marve's first - and sometimes only - look.

It begs the question, how did Miami's offense get so one-dimensional and basic? Is it the talent? The offensive line? Lack of a rushing attack? Young receivers? Rookie quarterbacks? Or is it simply an unimaginative Nix?

Probably all of the above, though Nix shoulders the load as the guiltiest party, game six of this short season. No one has more to prove this week at Duke than the offensive signal caller.

More frustrating than the actual 3-3 record is the fact it's mid-October and no one really knows where this team is headed. Miami Hurricanes v. 2008, stand up and be accounted for. Tell us who you are.

Conventional wisdom tell you to get that fork ready (as soon as this weekend) so you can stick it right in this team. The vintage era Canes were never in this situation, notorious for stepping up when the money was on the table. Recent teams have folded like a tent.

Dropping two of the final three in 2005, pissing away a #3 ranking and wasting a 27-7 upset of then-#3 Virginia Tech. A 40-3 Peach Bowl loss to LSU can be chalked up to cruel and unusual punishment.

A year later, the murder of Bryan Pata was the final straw for a battered and bruised bunch that lost a season opener to archrival Florida State, endured an early season beatdown at Louisville (31-7), a brawl with crosstown rival FIU and rattled off four straight losses down the stretch, before a Pata-inspired miracle Thanksgiving win against Boston College. The consolation prize, Christmas in Boise and the firing of a sixth-year head coach.

5-7 in 2007 was low-lighted with beatdowns courtesy of Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and Virginia. 2-6 play in the ACC was a new low and a late November loss at Boston College earned Miami it's first bowl-less postseason in a decade.

At 3-3, what's next? Shannon preaches about a winner's mentality, while tales of underclassmen who 'refuse to lose' are commonplace on every Canes-themed site. As always, the right things are being 'said'. Can they be done, or is this team what's done?

Duke is no gimmie. The Blue Devils took Miami to the wire two seasons in a row, albeit a dozen players were suspended for the 20-15 win of 2006. Last year's 24-14 took a fourth down stop and late Miami TD to make for a better box score.

Thaddeus Lewis has almost tasted victory against Miami, while the Canes have spent the better part of this season struggling with mobile quarterbacks and rolling pockets. If Miami comes to play, it beats down a 3-2 Duke team with wins against James Madison, Navy and an up/down Virginia team. Most recently, Georgia Tech took it to the Blue Devils, 27-0.

Come out lifeless, nursing a weak offensive game plan and dropping sure interceptions and the Canes can bank on a new ACC low. The 'statement' game that should've happened against UCF needs to surface this week at Duke. 4-3, winning ways and Wake Forest on deck can get Miami on the path of saving a season and successfully (re)building for the future.

Expectations are out the window. These are uncharted waters, with the young talent this team possesses. How fast can they grow up? A few wins will turn this year around and change everbodys perception - nationally and locally.

It makes sense to hang one's hopes on next year, but in all reality things aren't done yet. There's some ball to be played and opportunities made.

Get a nice win, gain a little confidence and this thing could turn around as quickly as it fell apart.

The State of Miami: Revisted

After back-to-back losses, the Miami Hurricanes sit unpretty at 2-3 and with Central Florida on the horizon.

The optimist is quick to tell you that the Canes are two plays from 4-1. A 28-24 loss to North Carolina was a 31-28 win, if Kayne Farquharson was an inch taller or Robert Marve took a little off his would-be game winning laser.

A week later, a 41-39 loss to Florida State, left most contemplating a different outcome had 1st and goal started at the four-yard line, instead of the nine.

Sam Shields quickly became the scapegoat after wrongly taking the field and costing Miami five yards, but it's not the junior wideout's fault the Canes did nothing the next three offensive plays - not to mention the defense giving up a 3rd and goal from the 20-yard line a drive later, effectively sealing the loss.

The six-point swing over two games has cast a dark cloud over the program, in a year when there was finally reason for some optimism. A strong defensive showing at Florida and an offense that finally seemed to be clicking at Texas A&M, many thought the Canes were an immediate ACC dark horse.

Then the last two weeks happened.

Everyone wants to point the finger somewhere. Anywhere. Too many ACC losses - 2-6 since Randy Shannon took over. A conservative offense, which has message board jockeys calling for the head of Patrick Nix. Even 'defensive guru' Bill Young isn't untouchable, these days. A stellar showing against the Gators means little after giving up a combined 69 points in losses to the Heels and Noles.

It's only five games into the season, but it's as good a time as any for this fan base to head into the locker room, consider it halftime and really evaluate the state of the program. Emotions are running high, so let's attempt to employ some logic.

Dave Hyde of the Sun Sentinel had a great piece this week. If you haven't yet read it, do so when you're done here. "You can't point finger at UM's Shannon yet; blame 2-3 start on weak junior, senior classes" is a mouthful as far as titles go, but Hyde's says it all and is as good a place as any to start evaluating this year's Canes.

For the first time since 1974, it appears Miami won't have one player drafted next spring. Forget the first round streak that dates back to 1994, the Canes don't even have Mr. Irrelevant on this squad.

Said an unnamed NFL scout, "They'll probably be shut out. Nobody off that team is probably going to get picked. They just don't have anyone I want to take a chance on."

For a program with more current NFLers and 26 first rounders this decade, the statement reads like a typo. Sadly it's reality.

Without another anti-Larry Coker rant and talk of his sub par recruitment and development of players (if you want to 'go there', read last October's piece on the 2004 class), the quality of player at Miami simply isn't what it once was. Not until Shannon sunk his teeth into the recruiting process and started bringing some gems back to The U.

Assuming the position in late 2006, Shannon only had a matter of weeks to 'save' the 2007 recruiting class, as well as attempting to reel in some on-the-fence kids. The gems of the class proved to be Marve and running back Graig Cooper.

Marve was headed to Alabama, but got cold feet when Nick Saban took over head coaching duties. Cooper had committed to the Canes, but wasn't a lock after spending a year at Milford Prep, getting his grades up. Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Mississippi were also on the radar.

Defensive lineman Allen Bailey was torn between Florida, Georgia and a few other national powers, but in the end chose Miami and Shannon.

Leonard Hankerson, Jermaine McKenzie, Joseph Nicolas, Orlando Franklin, Adewale Ojomo and DeMarcus Van Dyke were some of the other big name pick ups, some who have produced and others who are still finding their way.

The rebuilding project truly began with the 2008 class, where several key players are not only having in impact - but they're proving to be some of the best players on this current Miami squad.

Sean Spence looks like the next great linebacker. Marcus Forston is proving to be a force on a depleted and talent-starved defensive line. Travis Benjamin is doing his best Devin Hester each and every week. Aldarius Johnson is proving to be everything recent Canes receivers weren't. Jacory Harris is a solid back up to Marve and has the poise to be a future star, while top-rated linebacker Arthur Brown will finally get to strut his stuff this weekend, appeasing his Internet fan base as his recruitment was a big deal to online folk labeling him GOAT (greatest of all time) even though he's yet to start a game.

Let's face it, good teams aren't talent-heavy with their underclassmen and relying so heavily on the services of kids playing high school ball this time last year. That's the bitter pill. The good news lies in the future and the shot in the arm this program is receiving talent-wise.

These kids are the foundation. The bottom floor. The concrete has been laid and Miami will build up from here.

Back-to-back weeks the Canes had heartbreaking losses, but each was followed up with a verbal commitment from a recruit looking to make his mark next season. This week, the top running back in the state, Lamar Miller, verballed days after the loss to FSU. Last week it was much-needed defensive back Kayvon Webster, making it fifteen commitments for next year before 2008 is even in the books.

As Hyde points out, when you're seeing a junior like Shields making mental mistakes, or seniors like Anthony Reddick and Bruce Johnson getting burned by a North Carolina receiver on a 74-yard score, it's blatantly obvious why Miami began falling apart in 2006.

It was easy to get caught up in the hype of a close game against Florida. 9-3 in the fourth quarter had Miami's defense looking all-world. 109 points and thirteen quarters later, the Canes look fallible and everyone wants to know what changed.

Start with the fact Young's defense was brand new in Gainesville. There was no film on the Canes D and once everything was thrown at Florida, opposing offensive coordinators now had the ability to scheme for Miami and prey on the weaknesses; most notably a weak pass rush and a vulnerable secondary easy to pick apart when the blitz was on.

North Carolina found success moving the pocket by rolling out Cameron Sexton, while Florida State outsmarted Miami defenders with Christian Ponder's legs, instead of his arm.

A third-stringer and an unproven Seminole scrub lit up the Canes, which doesn't bode well as Thaddeus Lewis (Duke), Riley Skinner (Wake Forest), Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech) and a triple option-happy Georgia Tech team all remain on Miami's radar. The Canes are 2-3 and the meat of the schedule is on the horizon.

Seven games remain and safe to say all seven are losable, based on how the past two weeks played out. Perception is reality and two weeks ago the reality was a 2-1 Miami bunch could hang tough with anyone remaining on the schedule. 0-2 since then, pessimism and reality have crept in with the fan base - though the team remains upbeat and out to prove it won't go in the tank, a la 2006 and 2007.

8-4 seemed like a safe prediction when this season kicked off. 9-3 would've been a dream, 7-5 tolerable and 6-6 the worst case scenario. After this recent skid, 7-5 now looks like your best case, 6-6 a safe prediction and 5-7 a distinct possibility.

Again, that's just a writer writing and playing things out on paper based on recent history. These current Canes obviously have something to say about it. There might be a lack of talent, but sometimes that can be overcome by heart. Miami used to out-talent the competition. Down the stretch it'll be about out-gutting the other guys.

A Shields, a Reddick, a Johnson, a VanDyke, a Nicolas... if all made a play here or there, this type of morbid article isn't a reality. Instead we're talking about 4-1, some thrilling wins and the sky being the limit regarding the ACC the remainder of 2008.

Losses bring doubt, criticism and negativity. Sadly, these upperclassmen know losing all too well. Miami's current seniors sport a 23-19 record, while the juniors are now 14-16 in their careers.

No mystery while the dark cloud of failure and this losing culture hover over the program, or why Shannon has oft stated he wants winners from winning programs. Much has been discussed this week how the Canes' underclassmen aren't used to losing ball games and have found ways to overachieve when backs have been to the wall.

When juniors and seniors are blowing plays, it's the freshman and sophomores who have stepped up their game, as well as seeming to take the losses much harder. That 'refuse to lose' mentality needs to become infectious.

While this certainly isn't time to give up on The U, those smitten with a solid showing at Florida and Texas A&M need to reevaluate expectations. It was easy to get ahead of one's self, after such a brutal run these past few seasons. Many thought the 9-3 campaigns of 2004 and 2005 were rock bottom, which is understandable after an 11-1, 12-0, 12-1 and 11-2 stretch prior to those down years.

7-6 and 5-7 were a brand new low. The worst football the Canes had played in three decades and a program stripped of talent due to piss-poor recruiting and development of players. It takes more than high school accolades and a "U" on the helmet for Miami caliber football and U-style players.

The road to recovery is underway. That much is for certain. The play of Miami's freshman has been stellar and the lone bright spot early this season. It has you longing for the day these kids are juniors and seniors, two or three-deep on the roster and finally looking like the Canes again.

Unfortunately, that doesn't bode well in our fast-food, "we wanted it yesterday" society. Off the wall comparisons to what other programs are doing or wishful thinking regarding this current crop of Canes being reminiscent to some late 90s Miami teams who were turning the corner.

This isn't 1998 or 1999. Butch Davis isn't calling the shots. It's 2008. There's more money, parity and competition in today's college game and instant results aren't part of the process.

Davis-enthusiasts also need to remember that the former Miami coach inherited a team with probation on the horizon, but he still took over a squad that finished 10-2 and #3 in the nation under Dennis Erickson. The cupboard was much more full for Davis than Shannon, though probation would wreak havoc on recruiting over the next few seasons.

As great as these current freshman appear, they're going to win some ball games and they're going to make rookie mistakes that cost the Canes.

As impressive as Young's defensive resume, as recent as this week he stated he's only implemented 50% of his D, citing the learning curve that comes with such a depleted unit and so many green players.

That said, there's no excuse for 100% failure in the red-zone, where Miami has given up 14 touchdowns and 2 field goals on 16 appearances inside the 20. The Canes are focusing on red-zone defense this week with Central Florida looming.

Any weakness or deficiency becomes the new focus as this young team looks to rebound and save a season on the brink of getting away. It's part of the maturation process. As much as the losses hurt right now, we're witnessing the games these kids will reference as 'character building' and 'career changing' a few years from now.

The same way a Mike Rumph or Ed Reed pointed to a 27-23 loss to #2 Penn State in 1999, hopefully these freshman will remember the pitfalls of 2008 when things turn around by 2010. And turn around, it will. Just not on the timetable many of us hoped for.

Support these Canes watch them through the eyes of a parent watching a child. This squad need to be judged for the green squad they are and not held to the same standard as past great Miami teams. They'll get back to where they need to be, though it doesn't look like it'll happen as soon as many had hoped.

Another loss equals another gain; Miller to The U

For the second week in a row the Miami Hurricanes dropped a close game on Saturday, yet reeled in a big time recruit a few days later. Last week it was defensive back Kayvon Webster. This week, Lamar Miller - the top running back prospect in the state of Florida.

Many wondered if Miller would be the odd man out as Miami already has commitments from top tailback Bryce Brown, a five-star out of Kansas and four-star Mike James of Davenport (FL).

Miller is a four-star out of Killian High in Miami, measuring in at 5-foot-11, 205 lbs. and runs a 4.4-forty. Miller chose Miami over Florida, Florida State, LSU, UCF, West Virginia, etc. and considers his commitment around 90%, stating he will take other visits between now and February.

Miller has been compared for former Miami back Clinton Portis and has been a Canes fan since childhood. He also has the support of family, who had hoped Miller would stay close to home for school.

For those who've watched the Canes these past few weeks, you've seen Graig Cooper giving it his all as a one-man show. With Javarris James out since early September, none of the other tailbacks have stepped up and secured the number two spot.

Cooper was effective for a half in a 28-24 loss to North Carolina, though virtually non-existent against Florida State, where Miami played from behind en route to a 41-39 loss.

A lack of running game doesn't appear to be a problem in 2009 with J. James a senior, Cooper a junior and a steady stable of freshman backs in Brown, M. James and Miller, barring all three are on board come signing day.

Another good pick up for The U. Welcome, Lamar.

Florida State 41, Miami 39

Another loss and another set of questions in a season when most of us were expecting answers, as well as a better overall result.

This one goes beyond losing. Failure has become commonplace for the Canes, now 2-3 on the season and 7-10 in the Randy Shannon era. Some young talent has stepped up and given fans a glimmer of what could be for Miami in the future, which the morning after feels a lifetime from now.

Florida State fought their way to a 41-39 rainsoaked win Saturday afternoon at Dolphin Stadium. It wasn't pretty, but it was consistent with what you've come to expect from Miami's arch rival. Against the Canes, the Noles are consistent. Solid defense. Pressure on the quarterback. Special teams woes. All a given and for the for the third time in three shots against Miami, enough for a win.

Hard hitting, fundamental football is always the final ingredient. Whether bred from respect for the rivalry or simply a desire to win, you never question Florida State's heart against The U. Even during down years where they tested some higher-ranked Canes teams this decade. FSU always came to play.

The Canes made a game of this one, down 24-3 after two and to within two with 8:30 to play. A then 29-10 second half rally made it 34-32 with 8:30 to go.

For a break, don't bend defense that faltered all day, Miami allowed the game winning drive to amass 81 yards in just under five minutes, late in the fourth quarter, behind an effective Florida State attack.

In a game where the Noles' offensive line was their supposed weakness, a solid offensive game plan neutralized the Canes front seven and turned a flaw into an asset.

Christian Ponder, running all over Miami in this meeting, saved his best for last - a 13-yard scamper on a 3rd and 11 from midfield. Six plays later, his partner-in-stride Antone Smith broke off a 20-yard touchdown, on 3rd and goal from the Miami twenty.

Ponder finished with 304 total yards, 144 of which were with his legs. Smith finished with 92 on the ground and four touchdowns. The Canes were simply finished.

Miami put together a scrappy final drive, covering 78 yards in just under four minutes, completing three 4th down attempts and converting a gimmicky tackle-as-an-eligible-receiver touchdown that would've made more sense when the Canes settled for three the previous 3rd and goal from the seven.

An onside kick attempt in the final minute proved unsuccessful and ended any comeback try.

With 9:03 to play, a botched FSU snap put Miami at the 4-yard line and a boneheaded penalty set Miami back five yards. Three tries from the nine and the game on the line, the Canes couldn't find a way to get in, only mustering up a field goal and trailing by two instead of leading by two.

A stark contrast to the will of the Noles as Smith rumbled in from 20 yards out on third and goal a series later, pushing the lead to nine before the Canes final cosmetic touchdown.

The two-point loss might read well as a headline, but not in the box score. Florida State had 440 total yards to Miami's 256. The Noles rushed for 281 yards while the Canes only put up 51. Both teams had their share of penalties in this sloppy affair, but FSU also won the time of possession battle, 39: 23 to 19:44, wearing out the Canes defense and killing the any offensive momentum.

Miami was a paltry 2 of 15 on third down on the day. Nine of those occasions, the Canes faced a 3rd and 9 or worse. Miami didn't pick up their first third down until late in the second quarter, while the Noles didn't attempt their first punt until midway through the third.

Mickey Andrews stayed his course, again bringing an aggressive and blitzing defense to town, yet Miami had no play to counter his D's attack. With Noles in the backfield all day, not one screen or quick-developing pass to capitalize on some overpursuing or prove to Andrews that his scheme wasn't foolproof.

The Canes looked best offensively late in the first quarter when Cooper rattled off three straight runs for 10, 6 and 13 yards. The first play of the second, Marve took a nine-yard sack, forcing Miami to attempt back-to-back passes, stalling another drive.

Cooper rushed five times by the end of the first quarter, yet only touched the ball twice more on Saturday afternoon - once on a third quarter touchdown strike to game MVP Travis Benjamin and another on a two-yard run late in the fourth.

Granted Miami started the second half in deep hole, it marked the second week in a row the Canes got away from either an effective running game or signs of one on the horizon. Talk of not wanting to 'overwork' Cooper has now turned until underutilizing him and having no other back on the team comfortably settling into a #2 role.

As frustrating as the lack of Coop, a steady diet of passes to undeserving receivers is spirit-breaking and game-changing. The Sam Shields era needs to go on hiatus, with either Benjamin, Thearon Collier or Davon Johnson getting the disappointing junior's reps.

Shannon has oft stated that Shields has spent most of his career in the doghouse. #83 spent most of Saturday dropping more balls than he caught, with a 2 reception, 14 yard 'effort'. Six balls were thrown Shields' way, four weren't reeled in and five came on first down. A rather risky way to start a drive, regarding an unreliable receiving option.

Khalil Jones proved ineffective as well on a 3rd and 19 when outworked by Myron Rolle, who broke up a would-be reception as Jones didn't run a solid route and put himself in position to make the catch.

Four incompletions went the way of Leonard Hankerson in his 3 reception, 44-yard outing, digging this supposedly talented soph a deep hole to climb out of. Hankerson is looking more like the last guy to wear his #85 than the next great Miami receiver we were promised.

In a Leggett-like moment, Hankerson let a would-be, albeit mildly underthrown, touchdown pass get wrestled away from him by FSU's Tony Carter, who picked off two Marve passes.

Like Kayne Farquharson last week, another Canes receiver had a chance to step up and change history. In both cases, each flinched in their big moment. Farquharson's may be more forgivable, as the image of his outstreched, two-inches-too-short frame couldn't reel in the game winner.

Hankerson's continued drops and lack of mental toughness is looking more like a trend than a fluke, sadly. For a kid who spends his spare time working with NFL future Hall of Famer Cris Carter, Hankerson and coach need to get back to square one and basic fundamentals.

Shannon supposedly has placed all his faith in the future, focusing on recruiting and bringing the talent back to south Florida. If this is the case, then why rely on sophomores, juniors and seniors who aren't getting the job done? Most would be in agreement that it's easier to forgive a mistake-prone first-timer than a veteran who should know better.

In simpler terms, more passes to 'glue hands' Aldarius Johnson and less to the aforementioned receivers who can't catch a cold.

Get the freshman wideouts in the rotation, bench any incompetent upperclassmen and get those 'rookie' mistakes out of the system this year so that this program can truly experience growth in 2009.

Brandon Harris took his lumps at cornerback, thrust into action thanks to a lack of depth at Miami's most obvious weakest link; the secondary. Harris has an excuse as he was playing high school football a year ago this time - which can't be said for blunders by guys like Chavez Grant, Lavon Ponder and Anthony Reddick, three experienced veterans oft playing fundamentally poor football.

Reddick's final missed tackle on Smith's go-ahead 20-yard scamper was indicative of the Canes' defense the majority of this season; in the right place at the right time, but unable to break down and make the play.

With Colin McCarthy out for the game (and now the season), Miami leaned on true freshman Sean Spence - who came up with one of the game's biggest plays, the Canes first interception for a touchdown since 2003.

Proving to have a nose for the ball, Spence was Miami's leading tackler, with seven solo and ten total on the day. A natural born playmaker, the Canes need a handful more Spence-like kids on each side of the ball before this team finds its way 'back'.

While Miami found an answer for McCarthy in Spence, the same will have to be done on the defensive line regarding Eric Moncur, who will also miss the rest of this season, most likely ending the senior's career with the Canes.

Same for linebacker Romeo Davis, which means fans clamoring for top-rated linebacker Arthur Brown will finally see what the Kansas product can do. True freshman Jordan Futch is also expected to see increased playing time. Will the Canes benefit from addition by subtraction? Tune in the next seven games to find out.

What Spence did on defense, Benjamin did on special teams, with six returns for a total of 185 yards. Benjamin got four offensive touches and found the endzone twice, once on a 18-yard reverse and the other on a 51-yard reception from Cooper, where he juked a Nole out of his shimmery gold pants.

The 'youth movement' will have its setbacks, but it's still a better option than watching players who should know better, not do better. Miami needs a handful of Spence and Benjamin-like players on both sides of the ball before this 'resurgence' talk can be taken seriously.

Shannon must rely on this youth and go with a full-fledged baptism by fire. Recent history has proven, in Miami at least, that there aren't many 'feel good' stories regarding upperclassmen finally getting 'it' and turning things around. Three sub par years have generally been followed up by unsuccessful senior year campaigns.

Be it Lance Leggett, Kyle Wright, Ryan Moore or a slew of others, there was no glory in their collective swan songs. Too many recent careers have ended with a thud instead of a bang.

There look to be several similar storylines with this current squad and Shannon must get proactive instead of reactive. Forget who made plays in practice; go with your gut and figure out who can get on the field and make things happen.

The coaches are going to take the heat for the losses, but that doesn't mean their players are blame-free. Playcalling has nothing to do with an inability to wrap up, make a play or execute.

Too many times Miami continued to self-implode and couldn't remember the simple rules of Football: 101, be it dropped balls on offense or third-down penalties on both sides of the ball. The Canes proved unable to handle any prosperity that comes their way. Any chance to step up, Miami fell down.

Seven games remain and not a 'gimmie' remains. Not at 2-3, at least.

At 2-1, with the lone loss a defensive gem of a game (for three quarters, at least), the sky looked to be the limit for Miami. The offense seemed in sync after Texas A&M and off to a solid start in game four against North Carolina.

Last week a potential game-winner sailed off Farquharson's fingertips and after this most recent loss to Florida State, it's hard not to believe this 2008 season could fall from Shannon's grip as well if the man doesn't coach up this team and get them to refocus.

Road trips to Duke and Virginia look that much harder, with the Canes' plight, as well as the recent improvement experienced by both squads.

Miami gets Central Florida, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech at home, then wrap the season with two road games at Georgia Tech and NC State. Forget making a run in the ACC, in a matter of seven days the Canes will be fighting for bowl eligibility (again) if it can't fix things immediately.

The motto has been 'finish' and it's still not clicking. Miami might've been able to finally finish, had it actually come out the gate with a stronger start. The 24-3 halftime deficit was eerily familiar and as one-sided as last year's 27-0 halftime hole at North Carolina.

Young teams have a hard enough road. They don't need the deck stacked against them to the tune of three touchdowns, or more.

In both cases the Canes rallied, but fell short and found yet new ways to self-implode - which is the the most bitter pill to swallow. A year later, those mistakes are inexcusable. Miami has essentially beaten itself two weeks in a row.

Miami's 2007 comeback at Florida State was followed by four straight losses, but the season truly fell apart last October 6th at North Carolina - almost a year ago to the day. What has Shannon learned since then? Has this team grown? If so, how much? Time for it to show.

A few of my (supposed) 'in the know' amigos have stressed Shannon's focus on the future, insinuating that coaches have almost given up on several current players. Shannon's new breed of Hurricane seems to get 'it', be that Marve, Benjamin, Cooper, Spence, A. Johnson or everyone's new Cane of the day, Gavin Hardin.

While Miami was on the receiving end of Florida State's early beatdown, cameras caught Hardin on the sidelines in his game jersey and a pair of shorts, tears streaming down his face. Commentators talked of Hardin getting vocal with upperclassmen in an attempt to motivate.

While it's not quite Ed Reed's gutwrenching halftime speech at Tallahassee in 2001, it served as a reminder that 'those' type of players have been to few and far between as of late. In due time, Harvin will be making plays for the Canes defense and is already starting to show leadership skills that some seasoned veterans lack.

Faith in the resurgence shouldn't disappear, but a new time frame is in order. Miami isn't back and Shannon needs more days in the lab to fiddle with this monster. Simply put, it's going to take more talented recruits. More players from winning programs who buy into Shannon's vision and are Miami-type players. If there's an ounce of silver lining right now, it's that Randy's players seem to be in the mold of classic, all time Hurricanes.

Those who disagree, look no further than the kids on the field who are getting their jobs done. Underclassmen. Freshman who signed in February or sophomores who Shannon reeled in late, a few months on the job before the 2007 class was in the books.

We live in a fast food world where we wanted everything five minutes ago, or not at all. Rebuilding projects are difficult to deal with, especially after a slow and disappointing three year skid that got Larry Coker canned. In the end, Miami is going to endure at least a five year descent into mediocrity before better days truly surface.

The cancer that was Coker is proving to be much more aggressive and hazardous as time marches on. There are simply too many holes on this team and not enough depth to match the jaw dropping plays a handful of freshman are making week in and week out.

It's too soon to write this season off. Not five games into it and after back-to-back losses by a combined total of seven points. As meaningless as this next sentence sounds, Miami is legitimately two plays from 4-1 right now and has more reason for hope than last year's squad did at this time.

Of course a day after Florida State, no one wants the promise of hope or to be convinced things could get better. You simply want the gratification that comes along with a meaningful win - something Miami hasn't seen in a year.

Now isn't the time to give up on these Canes, though it is time to adjust expectations as this team simply isn't as far along as most of us wanted to believe.

Canes v. Noles... it's that time again

It's Miami and Florida State, yet I'm not jacked yet. Would 3-1 have given this match up more meaning than 2-2? Maybe, but not much. Not in a rivalry that proved to be the game of the year in 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002 and had a few more big time meetings in recent memory.

Last year was the same, with the Canes and Noles falling under the radar in an ABC regional game with a D-level announcing team. Once the ball was kicked off, the juices were flowing and it was UM and FSU... but it never felt 'epic'. Not even when Miami rallied behind the arm of Kirby Freeman and stole one late. It just felt like another ACC game that both teams needed.

Come Saturday, both teams need this one again. Miami and Florida State each have a conference loss and if Tampa is a reality, neither the Canes or Noles can afford to dig themselves out of a whole.

A series that once defined the national championship is all about ACC pride this year, with neither rival poised or predicted to represent their division. How the mighty have fallen.

Both teams will return to prominence. New coaches. New players. A new attitude. Miami has a few steps on Florida State, having fired their lame-duck head coach two years ago.

The Noles have to ride out the Bobby Bowden era and let the legend step down on his own watch. The predecessor has been chosen, but is relegated to the role of offensive coordinator until the legendary leader calls it a career. Until then, chaos and underachieving will remain part of FSU's repertoire.

At times, Miami has looked "almost back" this year. A hard fought game at Florida and a stellar defensive effort. An offensive onslaught at Texas A&M and some swarming D. Even in the loss to North Carolina, Miami had some bright spots; most notably the arm of Robert Marve and the legs of Graig Cooper.

Conservative coaching and defensive breakdowns did the Canes in last week, but both are fixable as early as this week, depending on which Miami shows up.

A huge black eye during the Larry Coker era was the Canes inability to bounce back after a troubling loss. In 2003 a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech was followed by an equally as embarrassing home loss a week later to Tennessee, 10-6. The Canes were lifeless and lacked passion in route to the program's first back-to-back losses since the 1999 season.

In 2004 No.3 Miami lost on a last second field goal against an unranked North Carolina team and choked a week later when Clemson headed to the Orange Bowl. Nursing a 17-3 lead midway through the third quarter, the Canes never scored again and fell to the Tigers, 24-17 in OT.

Miami closed out 2007 with four straight losses and had a four-game losing skid in 2006, almost making you wish for back-to-back losses, instead of back-to-back-to-back-to-back.

Everyone knows what this game is all about. It's Miami and Florida State. These kids grew up playing each other since they were knee-high. The hits in this battle rival those in NFL games. State pride. Bragging rites. An edge in the recruiting war. Blah, blah, blah.

I don't care about stats and I don't care that it's the Noles on the other side of the ball.

I'm sick of the soundbites and this team talking about 'finishing' games. If some of these guys blocked and tackled as well as they interviewed, the Canes would be undefeated this season.

Talk is cheap. It's time to start 'doing'. This isn't a must-win game, but there's no better time for Miami to right the ship, practice what they preach and follow their coaches' orders.

The Canes lost in Gainesville, but responded two weeks later with a solid outing in College Station. Miami looked renewed and focused when they took the field against Texas A&M. Can they do the same this week?

Did North Carolina rip out Miami's heart, or does this team have the grit to bounce back and correct the mistakes that cost them an in-the-bag game last week?

For the first time in a long time, Miami has the distinct advantage at quarterback. Marve is the type of player who can step up and win this game, whereas Florida State could flip a coin regarding deciding who is the more mediocre gunslinger, Christian Ponder or D'Vontrey Richardson. Both looked awful against the only good defense they've seen all year; Wake Forest. 12 of 36 between the two, for 118 yards and 5 interceptions.

If playing up to par, Miami's defensive front seven should get to whoever the Noles have behind center. Florida State sports a young, inexperienced line, which should make for turnovers and a short field if the defense of Bill Young can create pressure.

Then again, the Canes' D was picked apart by a second-stringer at Texas A&M and a third-string from North Carolina. With that inconsistency, for all we know Ponder or Richardson could be in for a career day if Miami doesn't tighten up.

I like the Canes in this one, behind Marve's arm and a more concerted all around effort after last week's loss. Score-wise, we could see 'vintage' Miami/Florida State, with a 24-20 or 21-17 type of ending. Defense should set the tone again, but that was the mindset last year before both teams combined for 66 points.

Kickoff it 3:30pm ET and it'll take everything in this fan to get his juices flowing between now and then. Anyway you slice or dice it, it just doesn't feel like Miami and Florida State is a day away, and no vintage photos, ESPN Classic games or Michael Irvin super-speeches are going to change that. Not this time.

Miami v. Florida State - The Q&A

Earlier this morning I received an email from a guy who goes by the moniker "FSU Truther". He's a law school student at Florida State and writes for TomahawkNation.com - a Florida State fan site.

Truther wanted to go toe-to-toe with a little Q&A session, so as devoted fans to each of our programs, we whipped up the following exchange. Below, his questions and my answers and then my questions and his responses. Enjoy.


"A Nole asks a Cane... "

What are your thoughts on Robert Marve? I've watched the Miami tape against UF and UNC, and they really don't let him throw downfield very often. No 15+ yard completions against UF? Only 2 against UNC? Do they not trust Marve, of are they just down on the talent of the wideouts?

I think Marve looks like the next great Miami quarterback. His poise as a r-freshman has been incredible. He has that "it" factor and showed more moxie in four games than Kyle Wright did in four years.

As for why he's not throwing downfield more... I don't know. The coaches say receivers aren't getting open. Even against Florida, the rumor was there were some plays in the bag but the wideouts didn't execute, so the passes weren't thrown.

I think talent-wise Miami is loaded; but it's all bottled up potential until they prove it. This is the youngest position on Miami's roster and in time, they'll break out. I think the problem right now is Patrick Nix being a conservative, by the book, percentages guy instead of rolling the dice.

Last week Marve improvised and pulled off an impressive four-yard touchdown throw to true freshman Aldarius Johnson. When the cameras panned to the sideline, Nix was yelling at Marve regarding the risk he told there and not following procedure. Marve has a Favre-like moment and is getting chastised for not doing things by the book.

Hopefully Nix can get out of Marve's way and let the player play.


In the game against UNC, Miami had two drives over 50 yards in the first half, but in the second half UNC held Miami to 33 plays for 101 yards (3.3 per), and 7 points. What adjustments did you see UNC make on defense to shut down Miami? What adjustments would you have made?

I don't know how much were defensive adjustments versus conservative playcalling and not executing. Nix went away from Graig Cooper in the second half, using him twice in the third quarter - once on 2nd an 23 and once on 3rd and 6. Coop dominated the first half and Miami went away from him when they needed to keep running the ball. Nix then turned back to him in the fourth when trying to bleed the clock with UNC stacking the box. When Nix relied on Marve, it was a lot more dinking and dunking instead of what you saw early in the game and again on the final drive, when in panic mode.

Nix outsmarted himself more than UNC's defense shut down Miami.

I don't like to play the role of armchair quarterback, but I believe Miami needs to stick with what's working. I'm also not a fan of inserting Jacory Harris into the game early in the second quarter, as Shannon has these past few games. Stick with the hot hand. Marve had momentum and UNC wasn't figuring him out. Let him run the offense as much as he can before second half adjustments are made.